The Hamana Arts Center will be a school where Masters and students from around the world come together to exchange, teach, perform and study the traditional arts of the Hamana region. This region fosters some of the greatest drummers in the world, like my uncle, Famadou Konate, and others such as Nounmody Keita, Nansady Keita, Solo Keita to name a few who help to preserve and spread this traditional style.

To all those throughout the world who carry this tradition and those who have passed into the amazing study of West African arts know how important it is for this exchange to continue. For this art form to remain culturally vibrant and intact - its artists must earn a living. To have housing, a place to teach, to study, to perform, and to have a center from which to pull this together and to pass these traditions on to our children is essential.